Dog Bite Attorneys in Indianapolis

Representation for Workers Who Are Bitten by Dogs while on the Job

Each year in the United States, almost 4.5 million people are bitten by
dogs. About a fifth of those bites are serious enough to require medical
treatment and, in 2012, more than 25,000 dog bite victims had to have
reconstructive surgery. Dogs of all types are responsible for these injuries—even
when they do not have a history of being aggressive or biting before.
Often, the dog bite victim is someone who is simply doing his or her job.

A large percentage of dog bite victims are postal workers, delivery people,
and other individuals who work outside or have to enter a private resident’s
yard or home. Any time your job calls you to enter someone else’s
yard, you are at risk for a
dog bite injury.

At Wagner Reese, we encourage you to never approach a strange dog and even
be wary of approaching familiar dogs if their owners are not present/available
to offer assistance with the dog should it be needed. Dogs are protective
animals and, consequently, their natural instincts can take over if they
feel that someone entering their territory is a threat, which can result
in an individual being attacked and bitten.

If you were bitten by a dog while on the job, contact our Indianapolis
dog bite attorneys at (888) 204-8440 for a
free consultation regarding your legal options.

Understanding Indiana Dog Bite Law

In Indiana, dog owners are reasonably responsible for ensuring that their
pets do not harm others. Our state has what is known as the “one
bite” rule. Under this rule, dog owners are liable for injuries
their dogs cause if the owner knew or should have known that the dog was
aggressive or was likely to bite. Typically, this can be proven by showing
that the dog has acted aggressively before or that it has bitten other
people in the past.

It may also be possible to hold a dog owner liable if you can show that
the owner acted negligently, for example, by letting their dog roam in
an unfenced area. If a dog has a history of acting aggressively toward
strangers, including postal workers or delivery people, but the owner
of the dog allows it to be in the front yard without a leash, the owner
is acting negligently. If the dog bites you or attacks you while you are
attempting to carry out the duties entailed in your job, you will likely
be able to hold the owner of the dog liable for your damages.

What to Do If You Encounter a Dog while Working

When encountering an unrestrained dog or a dog that is acting aggressively,
safety is of the utmost importance. Never attempt to approach a dog that
is growling, barking, or otherwise acting in an aggressive manner. Do
not approach any dog if the owner is not present, as even a dog that does
not appear aggressive may suddenly become territorial.

If you come upon a dog while you are working, follow these steps:

If the dog is loose, contact the local animal control department and/or
your employer.

Do not approach any dog that you are unfamiliar with and use caution when
approaching any dog, even if you are familiar with it.

Do not do anything to provoke the dog, such as yelling or kicking at it,
throwing items at it, or backing the dog into a corner.

Never mistreat, tease, or abuse any dog you encounter, including both restrained
and unrestrained dogs.

Avoid dogs that are tied up, contained in a yard, eating, barking, growling,
or acting aggressively, as well as dogs that have puppies.

If a dog is barking, growling, snarling, or acting aggressively toward
you, quickly and calmly retreat to a safe area.

If possible, visually search the area to locate the owner. Avoid altercations,
even if you are distressed. Instead, calmly alert the owner that his/her
dog is loose or acting aggressively.

Unfortunately, even when exercising caution, workers are still frequently
bitten by dogs. If this is the case, get to a safe area immediately and
seek medical attention for your injuries. Notify your employer of the
incident and file a report with the proper authorities. Keep any and all
information related to the incident, including medical bills and the dog
owner’s contact information. Lastly, reach out to an experienced
attorney who can help you understand your rights and work to recover the
compensation you are owed.

How Our Firm Can Help

Few things are as frightening as being attacked by a dog. Even small dogs
can leave severe, lasting injuries—both physical and mental. At
Wagner Reese, we believe that negligent dog owners should be held accountable.
Our team of Indianapolis dog bite lawyers has more than 150+ years of
combined legal experience; we understand how the process works and what
it takes to win. If you were injured on the job due to a dog bite, we
can help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. While financial
compensation cannot undo the pain and suffering you have been through, it
can assist with the cost of medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

Meet Our TEAM

Our attorneys have more than nine decades of collective legal experience
and have been honored, both by their peers and by a number of prestigious
legal organizations, for their commitment to quality legal services and
the highest level of ethics. Most of all, our attorneys understand that,
for you, this isn’t just another case. It’s your life. Because of this,
we are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized legal services
tailored to your unique needs. We take your specific situation into account
and work to provide custom legal solutions that suit your particular goals.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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